How well do you know the Council of Europe
Convention on preventing and combating violence against
women and domestic violence?

Quiz

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Question 1 / 11

According to the convention cases of violence against women are so widespread in
our societies because:

Answer A

women are by nature physically weaker and easily fall prey to such violence.

Answer B :
over the past few decades there has been an increase in alcohol and drug abuse,
as well as in the number of people with aggressive mental disorders.

Answer C
: violence against women is both a consequence and a cause of inequality
between women and men - in society and in the family - and is perpetuated by a culture
of silence and denial.

Answer D :
women are gaining more and more access to education, jobs and power and that is resented by men.

The answer is C: Violence against women can
happen to any woman of any age, social background or colour, and the vast majority
of perpetrators can be described as ordinary everyday people. Because it is closely
linked to harmful stereotypes and attitudes towards women, the convention requires
governments to tackle the social structures and attitudes that lead to such violence.

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Question 2 / 11

In the convention, what is actually meant by domestic violence?

Answer A

Violence between current spouses or partners.

Answer B

Violence between any members of a family or domestic unit living in the same household.

Answer C

Violence between any members or former members of a family or domestic unit, regardless of whether they live in the same household or not.

Answer D

None of the above.

The answer is C: Victims and perpetrators of domestic violence do not have to live under the same roof nor do they have to have biological or legal family ties. Under the heading of domestic violence, the convention covers violence between current or former spouses or partners, biological parents, step- and foster-parents, grand-parents, aunts and uncles, as well as biological, adoptive or foster children irrespective of their age.

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Question 3 / 11

If the police are called to a residence to intervene in a domestic violence incident and the victim is found in a situation of immediate danger, the convention establishes that:

Answer A

specially trained police officers can mediate between the victim and the perpetrator, allowing both parties to stay safely at home.

Answer B

the perpetrator can be removed temporarily from the residence even if he/she is its sole owner and is barred from contacting the victim.

Answer C

the perpetrator can be removed from the residence, but only if he/she shares the property with the victim or if the victim is its sole owner.

Answer D

the victim can immediately be sent to a shelter where he/she will be provided with the necessary help and support.

The answer is B: In situations of immediate danger, the best way to guarantee the safety of domestic violence victims is to physically separate them from the perpetrator. In most cases, victims of domestic violence need to be brought to safety immediately. Rather than asking them to hurriedly pack their belongings and move to a shelter, the convention allows for the perpetrator to be removed from the home for a specified period of time.

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Question 4 / 11

If a perpetrator claims that he/she committed an act of violence to punish a victim for not behaving according to his/her customs, religion or culture, the convention establishes that:

Answer A

the cultural, religious or traditional identity of a person must always be taken into account when handing down a sentence. Not ensuring this would constitute discrimination.

Answer B

any justification of a crime on the basis of culture, religion, tradition or so-called "honour" is unacceptable and may not be used to reduce a sentence.

Answer C

any justification of a crime on the basis of culture, religion, tradition or so-called "honour" is in principle unacceptable. However, under certain conditions it may be used to reduce a sentence.

Answer D

none of the above.

The answer is B: Across the world many women are exposed to violence because they have gone against what their culture, tradition or religion dictates. Many perpetrators often go unpunished on the basis of such claims. Thus, governments must ensure that no court hands down a decision on the basis of claims that a crime was committed to punish a victim for her or his behaviour. This specifically tackles crimes committed in the name of so-called "honour".

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Question 5 / 11

When a victim and a perpetrator of domestic violence have children in common, the convention establishes that it is in the best interests of the child to:

Answer A

always allow contact between the perpetrator and his/her children. It is beneficial for a child's development to remain in contact with both parents.

Answer B

only allow contact between the perpetrator and his/her children if a risk assessment has been carried-out and if supervision during contact visits is ensured.

Answer C

never allow contact between the perpetrator and his/her children. The perpetrator loses automatically his/her custody and visitation rights as soon as he/she has committed an act of violence.

Answer D

none of the above.

The answer is B: Common children are often the only remaining link between a victim and a perpetrator. For victims, complying with contact orders often means meeting the perpetrator face-to-face, thus risking their safety and that of their children. Governments must ensure that victims and their children remain safe during any visits or contact with the perpetrator by providing, for example, safe meeting rooms.

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Question 6 / 11

Does the convention encourage men and boys to play an important role in the prevention of violence against women?

Answer A

No. Although prevention can help somewhat, this is a private issue that only concerns women. It is the obligation of the government to prevent violence against women and domestic violence.

Answer B

No. Prevention has little or no effect on the number of cases of violence against women in our society. Governments need to focus on stronger sanctions.

Answer C

Yes. Men and boys can contribute to the prevention of violence as role models, agents of change and by supporting equality between women and men.

Answer D

Yes. Men and boys can help prevent such violence by learning how to refrain from committing such violence.

The answer is C: Men and boys can play an important role in preventing violence by speaking out against the problem, acting as positive role models and taking on caring responsibilities. This can contribute to a change in mentalities and attitudes towards this violence. The convention requires governments to fully engage all members of society, in particular men and boys, in the attempt to change the cultures and the social environments that tolerate and perpetuate violence against women.

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Question 7 / 11

The convention establishes that for a person to be considered as a victim of sexual violence, including rape:

Answer A

there has to be proof that the victim was forced and that they physically resisted the sexual act.

Answer B

there has to be proof that the victim did not consent to the sexual act or was coerced into participating in it, even if there is absence of physical resistance.

Answer C

there has to be proof that the victim had not consented to sexual acts with the perpetrator in the past.

Answer D

none of the above.

The answer is B: Not all victims of sexual violence or rape behave in the same way. Some might only say "No, don't do this!", while otherwise remaining passive during the attack out of fear for their lives. Others might try to physically resist the perpetrator. What is important is that they make it known to the perpetrator that they do not consent to sexual activity. Sexual violence and rape violate the sexual autonomy of a person. Criminal law needs to take that into consideration. Evidence of physical resistance or the use of force or coercion should not be required. Sexual violence and rape can also take place in relationships. The victim's sexual history with the perpetrator or other sex partners should not be of relevance in rape cases.

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Question 8 / 11

According to the convention, which of the following types of behaviour constitutes stalking?

Answer A

When a person repetitively follows and observes another person, including in the virtual world.

Answer B

When a person repeatedly engages in unwanted communication with another person by means of phone calls, e-mails, letters.

Answer C

When a person's property, image or close relatives and friends are targeted by threatening or destructive behaviour.

Answer D

All of the above.

The answer is D: For any of these types of behaviour to be considered as stalking, they must be intentional and must happen repetitively. But above all, they must cause the victim to fear for her or his safety. The convention requires governments to criminalise this type of behaviour if they have not already done so.

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Question 9 / 11

Does the convention cover male victims of domestic violence?

Answer A

Yes, because the number of cases of domestic violence against men are just as widespread as those of domestic violence against women.

Answer B

Yes, because men can also be victims of domestic violence, although the vast majority of victims continue to be women.

Answer C

No, because there are no cases of domestic violence against men.

Answer D

No, because incidents of domestic violence against men are never as severe as those against women.

The answer is B: What is little known is that men may also be victims of domestic violence. The convention tackles this straight on by encouraging governments to offer protection and support to men and child victims of domestic violence as well as to the elderly.

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Question 10 / 11

If parents take their 16 year-old child to another country under a pretence, and have arranged for their child to be married without his or her knowledge, the convention establishes that:

Answer A

this falls under parental rights/responsibilities and the parent(s) may not be prosecuted.

Answer B

this is not a criminal offence if the forced marriage was not concluded, but it can lead to other legal sanctions for taking the child out of the country under pretence.

Answer C

this is a criminal offence which leads to prosecution, even if the forced marriage was not concluded.

Answer D

parental rights shall be withdrawn.

The answer is C: The convention not only criminalises the act of forcing a person into marriage, but also that of luring a person to another country to be married against his/her will. For example, many teenagers in Europe are sent or tricked into going to their parents' country of origin during the summer holidays and are forced to marry.

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Question 11 / 11

The role of the media in shaping our opinion of women, sex and violence is:

Answer A

addressed in the convention because the way women are portrayed in the media keep alive stereotypes of women as weak, passive, sexually available or deserving of violence.

Answer B

addressed in the convention because research has proven a clear link between what we see on TV and what we do in real life.

Answer C

not addressed in the convention because it is not important.

Answer D

not addressed in the convention out of respect for the freedom of the media.

The answer is A: Images of women in the media often reflect wide-spread gender stereotypes or are degrading in nature. There are many examples of imagery that associate violence and sex. While the link between such images and violence against women is not scientifically proven, it is widely accepted that the way women are portrayed in the media influences us in how we perceive women and what we consider appropriate behaviour towards them. The convention therefore requires governments to encourage self-regulation of the media in order to enhance respect for the dignity of women. Such encouragement does not interfere with the freedom and independence of the media because the decision on what and if to self-regulate is left entirely to the individual media company.